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Wednesday, March 19, 2025
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 Introduction
Veterans List
Memorabilia
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| Introduction |
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From the onset of World War I African-Canadians began
to volunteer to serve their country in the conflict overseas. Many
who volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) were
turned away at the recruitment offices. In November 25, 1915 Lieutenant-Colonel
George W. Fowler, Commanding officer of the 104th Battalion, requested |
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Document courtesy of The Black Battalion,
1916-1920: Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret, written
by Calvin W. Ruck, published by Nimbus Publishing Limited
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permission to discharge twenty black recruits on
the basis of race. He wrote, “I have been fortunate to
have secured a very fine class of recruits and I did not think
it fair
to
these men |
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that they should have to mingle
with Negroes”.
This rejection was met with protest in the African-Canadian community.
The Canadian military decided upon a compromise of sorts in which the decision
to allow African-Canadian recruits to join was left up to the individual commanding
officer. “…most of them were sent to the Western Front. A few
Negroes were among these troops, for individual Blacks were permitted to enlist
in such local regiments as would accept them ” (as reported by historian
Robin Winks). Approximately sixteen black volunteers were accepted into the 106th
Battalion Nova Scotia Rifles CEF between December of 1915 and July of 1916. When
the Military Service Act was passed on August 29, 1917 volunteers who had previously
been turned away were now forced to go to war. |
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No.
2 Contruction Battalion CEF
Photo Courtesy of Windsor’s Community Museum (file P6110) |
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| In addition, it was deemed ‘acceptable’ to
form an all black battalion lead by white officers that would perform
construction duties and other labour rather than armed combat. The
first and only black battalion in Canadian history was authorized July
5, 1916. The No. 2 Construction Battalion, CEF, was based out of Pictou,
Nova Scotia with recruits from across the country. Many local young
men served in this unit as evidenced by the unit role as printed in
The Black Battalion, 1916-1920: Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret
by Calvin W. Ruck. The Chaplain of the No. 2 Battalion was the only
Black commissioned officer in the British Forces in World War I compared
to six hundred in the United States. On March 28, 1917 a force of six
hundred and five black troops embarked from Pier 2 in Halifax heading
to the Western Front.
A recruiting station also operated out of the Parker family home in
Windsor. Most served in Lajoux, Peronne and Alencon. The unit was disbanded
on September
15,
1920 (p21). |
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Photos
courtesy of The Black Battalion, 1916-1920: Canada’s Best
Kept Military Secret
written by Calvin W. Ruck, published by Nimbus
Publishing Limited |
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| Veterans
List |
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| The names on this list appear courtesy
of The North American Black Historical Museum. Click here to
see the list. |
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| Memorabilia |
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James Jacobs from
Windsor served in World War I - Courtesy of NABHM |
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Memorabilia from WWI Veterans James
Jacobs and Pte. Kersey on display at NABHM -photo H.Soulliere |
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Medals earned by Pte. Kersey during WWI on display
at NABHM - photo H. Soulliere |
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